Review: Butora Endeavor Climbing Shoe

This story originally appeared in the October 2014 issue of our print edition.

Performance

As the one-stop shop of rock shoes, the Endeavor is a durable, medium-stiff, medium-flex, sticky-rubber kick that is at home on vertical, slabby, and even slightly overhanging terrain. “If I could only climb in one pair of shoes for the rest of my life; these would be it,” one tester said after a few months of easy bouldering, moderate sport routes, and big multi-pitch days. With the addition of a few thoughtful features, this shoe rises above the dozen other moderate-performance pairs on shelves now. A welded polyurethane reinforcement in the leather-upper heel gives more stability and security in the back of the shoe without the full rigidity of a one-piece rubber heel cup. A strip of welded polyurethane on the upper runs across the toe for increased durability and structure, preventing the forefoot from stretching out or caving in. The double straps of Velcro are opposed (one latches down on the left, the other on the right), with double and triple attachment points so that when testers pulled one strap, they could feel the shoe tightening down all around their foot. The Endeavor also has a two-face upper, with leather in the back half for breathability and comfort, and synthetic in the front that won’t stretch out or deform. Sweet: It’s available in half sizes from 5 to 15, with a wide option. Ding: Although it’s good at everything, it doesn’t particularly excel at anything.

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Conclusion

Great performance without downsizing, an aggressive curve, or any pain. The dirtbag-friendly price makes this an excellent option for gym or mileage shoes, and the well-designed details mean way more value for your money.